KUNGENS MÄN

The first track is "Fyrkantig Bojelse" ("Square Addiction" in English). This is an 11 minute exploration into Krautrock with a steady, yet andante tempo (the steady 4 / 4 beat of motorik, pioneered by the band "Can"), a pulsing bass and sound exploration and improvisation with the guitars. The track intensifies as the guitars interact with each other, building momentum without really increasing the speed. The sound gets more wild, but never chaotic. As the intensity grows, so will your enthusiasm for this sound.

"Oppen for Stangda Dorrar" has a slower beat with psychedelic guitar swirling around the drums and a bass style drone. Eerie and spacey effects push the intensity forward slowly. The dark atmosphere continues to build creating heavy electronic effects as the jangly and squealy guitars continue to push on for this 8 minute track.

"Man Med Medel" ("Man With Funds" in English) begins with a fuzzy bass line and a fast beat that creates a driving and enticing rhythm. This one should get your head bobbing right away. When the guitars start to play, you know they are going to develop into quite the assault in this Space Rock epic. As it continues, the guitars get wilder and heavier until they become unhinged by squealing effects and squawking sounds until it erupts into noise.

"Eftertankens Blanka Krankhet" ("The Shiny Disease of Thought" slows things down again with a hypnotizing beat and swirling guitar patterns playing around each other. This creates a psychedelic and hypnotic feel to the 11 minute track that takes it's time rolling along with mid-eastern inspired improvisation. About halfway through, the guitars begin to argue a bit increasing intensity without increasing the speed or producing too much volume and eventually dropping you off somewhere in space as it continues on its journey fading away into oblivion.

This is a great album showcasing 4 different styles of this band, krautrock, dark psychedelic, heavy space rock and a more meditative side. The tracks are well developed and any lover of psychedelic and space rock will really enjoy this. It works best as background or meditative music, but be aware there are some loud sections in there. The four long tracks are probably a bit too meandering for my taste, but I did enjoy most of the music. It's great for the style of music and the band is quite tuned in to each other and do a great job of not allowing the intensity to always increase speed, but instead allowing the listener to float along in bliss.

I must admit that I basically have problems with those scandinavian track titles. Hey, there's one exception, now that Second Third War Three fades out way too early ... argghhhh! ... this might be something to become accepted, to get over, in light of the limited space concerning a vinyl side. Apart from that, music-wise it's nearly impossible to highlight one track especially on this production. Eh sorry, maybe however the twenty minute closing track. Offered with a stoic krautrock beat, this is embellished by guitars and synths wonderfully swirrling all around.

Based on a propelling rhythm in general, this is cosmic music for you, spirtually akin to the Oresund Space Collective in best form. Yet again provided by German Adansonia label, 'Stockholm Maraton' invites to enjoy a fantastic trip. Quite obvious, one favourable driving force for appealing improvisations is the team spirit, the members' perfect interplay, taken for granted here. Please give it a shot, I mean this marathon course will not expect too much of you in any way, I'm absolutely sure.

Anyway, you should know that this is another case far away from aimless noodling. The songs are trippy, basically relaxed, don't bear substantial twists and turns when it comes to the particular flow. Nonetheless you'll have the ability to follow something entertaining, an issue full of suspense. I'm quite sure they initially are starting with a loosely appointed framework regarding every recording session ... and then eventually rely on each other according to a further inspired and constructive process. Well, sounds kinda simple, however deserves deep respect.

Hence, attending a KUNGENS MÄN gig surely must be an impressive experience, what I unfortunately could not realize yet. Now let me point at two songs which are rather exemplary. The extended Sista Ordets Krigsdans Genom Snickeriet will need 22 minutes to unfold, where the hypnotic rhythm branch is acting kraut rock alike. Both electric guitars are leading through time and space with safety and trance appeal, are slightly variating featuring post as well as space rock attitude over the course. Yeah, this is able to enchant even long-time experienced fans of improvised music!

As for a valuable contrast Krautespark immediately follows as the shortest excerpt, though showing a proper drive, therefore this is somewhat close to the Oresund Space Collective I'd say, this especially due to the rather jazzy drumming. Also, at some point they are offering an US westcoast psychedelia feel. Space rock fans will be delighted - with additional support from some liked-minded musicians KUNGENS MÄN have put an excellent album to the table. And it's worth it to visit their bandcamp page occasionally, as they are very productive.